Louis XIV and his Major Events

Louis become King of France.

Louis XIV became king at the age of four. His reign was the longest that ever lasted of any European Monarch. He began ruling after the death of Cardinal Mazarin, his chief minister. (Weakness for the people, and strength for himself)

Mar 9, 1661

Louis weaken nobles, and strengthen government.

When Cardinal Mazarin dies, Louis takes control of the government by himself. He does this by decreasing the power of the nobles, and increasing the dominance of the government who collect taxes and administered justice. In order to do this, Louis had to make sure he made contact with the local officials. (Strength for the government and weak for nobles)

Mar 9, 1667

Louis attempts to expand France.

Louis tries to expand France's boundaries. He captured Spanish Netherlands and gained 12 towns for his country. Confident with his success, he led his army to invade Dutch Netherlands. But, they had failed. Still, France gained several towns and even a region called Franche-Comte. (Strength for the people)

Mar 9, 1668

Louis fights additional wars.

Louis decided to fight additional wars, just in case by luck, he might gain some more land. However, he had ran out, and by the end of the 1680's, a Europeanwide alliance formed to stop France. Their defensive strategy was to balance out the power, in which no single country could dominate others. (Weakness for the people)

Jan 1, 1669

Louis expand the Palace of Versailles.

The Palace of Versailles was originally a hunting lodge built in 1624, by Louis XIII. Louis XVI expanded this palace to proof his absolute power. This palace was the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 - 1790. The palace is beautifully made. (Weakness for the people, because they would've taken many taxes from the people)

Nov 14, 1682

Louis support the Arts.

Louis XIV made art very popular, especially opera and ballet. Under Louis, the main purpose of art no longer to glorify God. He believed that the purpose of art during the Renaissance period, was to gloify the king and help his ruling. (Strength for the Arts)

Sep 6, 1685

Louis cancels the Edict of Nantes.

Louis slows down the economic process of France. He cancels the Edict of Nantes, which protects religious rights of Huguenots. Because of this action skilled workers and buisnessmen fled the country. Louis did not like their religion - protestants. (Weakness for the huguenots)

Jan 1, 1689

Dutch prince William of Orange become king of England.

Dutch prince William of Orange joined the league of of Ausgburg, which consisted of leaders of several European countries. All the countries equaled France's strength. France was weakened by a poor harvest, which then added to war, and France suffered greatly. Louis had no choice but to raise taxes, for him to pay for his wars. (Weakness for France)

Jan 1, 1701

War of the Spanish Succession

A war that laster from 1701 - 1713, in which various European states fought to prevent the Bourbon family from controtlling Spain and France. France lost their colonies and wealth. (Weakness for France)

Sep 1, 1715

Louis XIV dies.

Louis dies tragically. He realizes that the wars have ruined France, he regrets all the suffering people had to go through. Louis XIV died in his bed and the news of his death made France happy. They have had enough of him. (Strength for the people)